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Messi gets 21 months in jail for tax fraud: 5 things you need to know

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DailyBite
DailyBiteMay 24, 2017 | 19:33

Messi gets 21 months in jail for tax fraud: 5 things you need to know

He might be the world's favourite footballer, but he's surely kicked himself in the back this time around.

Barcelona FC forward and Argentina football team's captain, Lionel Messi, has been found guilty of tax fraud by a Spanish court on Wednesday (May 24). Messi, who currently earns over £250,000 (equivalent to over Rs 20 crores) a week after tax at Barcelona, has lost the high-profile tax evasion case. The fallout of the Spanish supreme court verdict could derail his current contract talks with the club that would have reportedly seen him earn a mouthwatering £485,000 a week after tax. 

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Lionel Messi might lose his the potential hiked-up contract with Barcelona after the court verdict. [Photo: Reuters]

Here are five things you need to know about the case involving one of the highest paid footballers in history. 

1. As per El Espanol, The Barcelona striker has been found guilty of breaching three tax offences by the Spanish courts, which total around £3.5 million in the years 2007, 2008 and 2009. He is also believed to have not disclosed to Spanish tax authorities image rights he earned £8.7 million from.

2. Lionel Messi has been sentenced to 21-months in prison. The ruling from today is part of a long-running case. Messi was earlier sentenced in July by the court but chose to appeal the decision. 

3. The Barcelona forward's father, Jorge Horacio Messi was also found guilty in the case. However, his sentence today was reduced to 15 months after the appeal.

4. Both Messi and his father Jorge are not likely to serve any time behind bars. As per provisions of under the Spanish law, a prison sentence below two years can be served under probation if the offender has no prior criminal record. Lionel Messi's Barcelona and Argentina team-mate Javier Mascherano was also convicted of a similar tax offence last year. However, the defender never had to set foot in a prison.

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5. The court has ordered Messi to pay a fine of around £1.7 million. However, his father who was previously directed to pay £1.3 million as fine has now been asked to only pay £1.3 million.  

Last updated: May 24, 2017 | 19:36
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